Preparing for Your Trip

What is a Canopy Tour and how is it different from a Zip Line Tour?

A Zip Line Tour uses poles and towers to connect steel cables (zip lines) and can be built almost anywhere. Most often, a zip line tour will require some hiking and climbing of towers. Usually more of a thrill ride than a tour. A Canopy Tour is a “living tour” built in the trees of a forest. On a Canopy Tour, riders traverse steel cables (zip lines) connecting a series of platforms built in the trees, walk wire rope sky bridges, climb tree-based staircases and may even rappel back to earth. A Canopy Tour course is an ecologically-oriented sightseeing adventure with a bird’s eye view of the canopy of the forest. This type of tour usually includes information about the ecology, geology, biology and history of the area in addition to the thrill of zip lining.

Are reservations required?

Reservations are strongly recommended, to ensure we have guides available to serve you. Each tour is limited to 8 participants and tours fill-up fast. We cannot guarantee we will have space for walk-ins.

How long does it take to complete the tour?

Our Canopy Tour is approximately 2 to 2-½ hours long for a full tour of 8, including orientation, gear-up, ground school, the canopy tour and gear-down.The length of the canopy tour is relative to the number of people on the tour. A tour for 2 people may take as little as 1-1/4 hours, while a tour for 8 people may take 2-1/2 hours.

What if I am afraid of heights?

We welcome the fearful and bring out the fearless in you. Our well trained Guides will be with you every step of the way. Your safety and enjoyment are our highest priorities. Your adventure begins with a relaxed orientation where you will meet your Guides. Next is gear-up, then it’s on to ground school to learn zip line basics, test your new skills on our practice zip line and have a chance to ask questions. During your tour you’ll be secured to a cable at all times. Your Guides will handle all of the transfers for you. All you have to do is relax, take in the tree-mendous views and enjoy the tour. Once you step off that first platform, we think you’ll be hooked and want to return to zip again and again.

How high will I be off the ground?

Once you leave the ground you will be anywhere from 10 feet to 65 feet above ground.

What should I wear?

Dress for the weather. We operate year-round in the rain, snow, heat and cold. Wear comfortable clothing. You’ll be wearing a seat harness so please no skirts. Closed toe shoes are required. Long hair should be tied back. Please do not wear anything you do not want to lose, such as jewelry. You will be asked to remove everything from your pockets. Leave your cell phones, money clips and wallets in your car. We don’t want them falling out during the tour and injuring our wildlife. We do have assigned containers for each tour to hold your car keys. Please leave your valuables at home or locked in your car. Lake Geneva Canopy Tours is not responsible for any lost, stolen, damaged or misplaced personal property.

Do the Guides take photographs?

Yes they do, each team of Guides is equipped with a digital camera. While on tour your Guides will take photographs, at predetermined locations. At the end of your tour, before you’ve even had a chance to de-gear, your photos are ready for viewing and purchase. For $25, all of the digital photos will be uploaded to Picthrive, to share with friends and family, post on your Facebook page or print at your favorite photo kiosk. You can also purchase photos after you go home.

Can I bring a still or video camera?

Yes you may, but it must have a wrist strap and remain secured to your person at all times. Just be sure to let us know when you check-in that you’ll be bringing a camera along, and we’re happy to help you properly secure it. If your camera does not have a wrist strap, you can purchase one in our Welcome Center for $5.00 plus tax.

Do you operate in the rain?

Yes, we do. Be advised, the canopy tour and racing zip line will be closed if the conditions for lightning are present and will not reopen until we receive the all clear. We generally will delay the start of scheduled tours to permit lightning storms to pass rather than cancel tours, whenever possible. We also close in the event of high winds (sustained winds over 30 mph). If we know we will be closed, we will try to contact you at the number and/or email you provided when you booked your tour. You may rebook for another day or time, or you may request a full refund if your tour is cancelled due to weather or other unforeseeable conditions. If your tour is interrupted due to inclement weather, your position on course determines our course of action.

What if it is too cold outside?

We operate year-round in the rain, snow, heat and cold. Dress for the weather; winters can get quite cold in Wisconsin. Like skiing, zipping in the cold can be fun, if you’re dressed for it. Our best advice, as with all winter activities, is to layer your clothing.

How safe is it?

While any adventure activity carries a certain amount of risk, we work very hard to manage that risk. Your safety is our #1 concern. Managing risk starts with the best trained Guides in the business. Before leading a tour group all of our Guides undergo extensive training and testing which embrace quite a range of subjects, including course hardware and safety systems, inspection and routine maintenance, safety equipment fitting and supervision, high-angle rescue and course evacuation as well as basic “feel good” First Aid. Every Guide is required to complete continuing education and periodic re-certification. Our course was built to meet or exceed ACCT professional building standards and is inspected daily.

What if I have never zipped before?

Most of our participants have never zipped before. Your Guides will lead you through Ground School before we take you on the course. Ground School gives you a chance to test your new skills just a few feet off the ground, so you get the feeling of what zipping is all about before you go out onto the course.

Who can zip?

Our canopy tour is designed for use by people who are in reasonably good health weighing between 70 and 250 pounds with average mobility and strength. This is a hard limit, all participants will be weighed at check-in and must meet our weight requirements. The minimum age is 7 years, however, children under 16 years of age must be accompanied through the course by at least one participating adult and must be able to participate independently of the adult. The minimum requirement is 1 Adult per 7 Youth under 16 years of age. *Every adult participant must sign an Adult Waiver and Release Form. Participants under the age of 18 must sign a Minor Waiver and Release Form which must also be signed by a parent or legal guardian. You will not be permitted to participate in the tour if you are under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or impairing legal drugs. Lake Geneva Canopy Tours reserves the right to exclude anyone from participating in any and all activities for any reason which might compromise the health and safety of you, our clients and our staff. Exceptions to any requirements are at the discretion of the management.

Can I zip if I'm pregnant?

No. You may not zip if you are pregnant.

What equipment will I wear on the course?

You will be fitted with a waist and chest harness, a trolley, lanyards with carabiners, leather gloves and a Petzl helmet. Our safety equipment is similar to rock climbing equipment but specially designed for a zip line course.

How can I pay? What if I don't have a credit card?

You can pay for your on-line reservations through our secure site with a Visa, MasterCard, Discover or AMEX. You may also stop by our Welcome Center and pay for your reservations in cash.

May I celebrate a special occasion at LGCT?

Absolutely! We would love to be part of your celebration. There is no better way to enjoy our Canopy Tour than with a group of friends, family, colleagues or co-workers! Contact us to plan the details and arrange reservations for your special event.

When do I need to arrive for my tour?

In order to give our staff adequate time for check-in and for you to prepare for your tour, we require you to arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time. If you are not checked in by the time your tour is sent, your reservation will be lost. Tours often leave early but never leave late. If you are lost or running late, please contact our Welcome Center at 262-248-9271.

May I tip my Guides?

Yes, our professionally trained Guides work hard to ensure that you have an educational, enjoyable and thoroughly memorable experience. Feel free to tip your guides however you see fit.

Can I camp on your property?

Unfortunately, we do not allow camping anywhere on the Lake Geneva Canopy Tours property. Click here for a list of camping in Walworth County, Wisconsin.

More questions? Call us at 262-248-9271.

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